Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-01
Andrew johnson.

a 3
One morning in the month of Sop
tember, 1926, a young man about IS
years Of age was walking on noun
tain road from North Carolina leading
to Washington County, Tenn.
i was . lonely road, and the boy
presented a poor appearance. There
was nothing attractive about him nor
the little bundle which hung on the end
OF q rough stickresting on his shoulder.
As the boy reached the top of the
hill he stopped and looked over towards
Tennessee. The scenery was grand,
and peak after peak, all heavily wood
ed, could be seen as far as the eye could
reach. While thus musing he was
startled by the clatter of a horses hoofs,
and turning, beheld man mounted
upon powerful horse approaching
him at . trot.
At the appearance of the individual
in the saddle, the boys face betrayed a
look OF interest. The newcomer was a
man OF between so and 60 years of age
tall, thin, and with an erectness that
denoted military training. He rode his
horse, which was a handsome thor
oughbred, with the air of man used
to commanding and with an ease that
betrayed familiarity with the saddle.
His face was smooth shaven, disclosing
a firm mouth with thin lips and a pair
OF eyes that were very brilliant.
The whole appearance of the new
conner was that of a man of energy,
tearlessness and ability, and the boy
gazed with no small amount of awe on
the formidable figure of the stranger.
The demeanor associated in the mind
of the boy the bearing of a general, so
touching his hat he said: .sGood even
ing, general The stranger appeared
surprised, and asked the boy if he knew
him. The answer was in the negative.
The newcomer appeared somewhat in
terested in his youthful companion, and
they entered into conversation. The
boy confessed that no could not write
or spell, but had heard a few things
read from an old school book. He was
a very supplemented boy, but the kind
manner OF the stranger appeared to set
him at ease. and he frankly told him
that he was going to Tennessee to seek
his fortune.
The horseman.. encouraged him. and
together they reached the crossroads,
one leading to Jonesboro, the other to
Greenville. The horseman here babe
the boy goodbye, with some encour-
aging words, and turned towards Jones'
boro, while the boy proceeded on his
way to Greenville. On leaving the
horseman the boy appeared wrapped in
deep thought; then he stopped, and
raising his head, said: II am going to
be man like him." and then, as if en-
couraged by his resolution, he set out
with quickened step for Greenville.
Three years later the horseman was
President ofthe United States, Thirty
nine years later the boy filled the same
Office. The horseman was Andrew
jackson, the boy was Andrew johnson.
When Andrew johnson reached
Greenyille he hardly knew what to do.
He went to atailor shop and asked for
work, having knowledge of the trade,
but the tailor needed no assistance, and
johnson turned his attention elsewhere.
He was not boy with much assurance,
and was in fact rather bashful. so he
stood around good deal hoping for
something to turn up. Atlast the tailor
took pity on the friendless boy, and see
ing him standing opposite his store one
day, with look of encouragement on
his face, he went to him and asked him
to come over to the shop and he would
try to help him. johnson quickly
accepted the offer and went to work.
Opposite the shop where johnson
worked lived an Irishwoman with three
daughters. This woman was shoe
maker, having learned the trade from
her husband and continued to work at
it after his deathin order to support and
educate her three children. johnson
became acquainted with the family and
married one of the girls, who though
possessing but a limited education was
fully capable of instructing her husband,
which she did, teaching him to read,
write and cipher. While giving her
lessons, her husband would sit cross
legged and work at his trade Boston
7Taueller.